NON-PARTISAN RACES

Let’s face it – four years ago the County Republican Party spent lots of money in the non-partisan Board of Supervisors race to defeat Democrat Jim Dantona over Republican Peter Foy. Non-partisan elections came out of the closet so to speak. We have always said that we should use local non-partisan races to help develop future legislators. And some of us hard core Democrats have said “there are no non-partisan offices.” What the Republicans did in 2006 is only a small prelude to what could happen now. This June two county, non-partisan, elected offices are open with no incumbent running: Ventura County Clerk Recorder, a very important position that oversees the Elections Division, and Treasurer Tax Collector, equally as important. Remember Treasurer Tax collector is the position that Audra Strickland wanted. Democrats have a rare opportunity to get like-minded, non-partisan office holders elected. We might not have the money the other side has, but we have the numbers. Now getting out the vote becomes more important than ever. For a county office 51% of the vote must be obtained to avoid a run off election. Run off elections mean that more money has to be raised and much more work has to be done. That’s why June is so important.  If Democrats can sew this one up in June we have more time to concentrate on partisan races in November. At our April meeting we will be inviting all Democrats running for non-partisan office to come and speak to us. I hope you will attend to show them support and encouragement.
Bill Gallaher, President

State Sen. Tony Strickland never misses a chance to vilify government as an out-of-touch, evil entity that does nothing right and only causes problems.

If government is so bad, why does Strickland stay in it? Could it be his government paycheck? Or maybe it’s the government-paid benefits. Those benefits, especially healthcare, far exceed the basic ones he wants to deprive less-privileged — but certainly deserving — people.

No, Sen. Strickland, government is not the problem. It’s self-serving people like you, who either lack the will or intelligence to find solutions.

— Carol Keavney, Letter to the Editor, Ventura County Star, 3/5/10

State Sen. Tony Strickland never misses a chance to vilify government as an out-of-touch, evil entity that does nothing right and only causes problems.

If government is so bad, why does Strickland stay in it? Could it be his government paycheck? Or maybe it’s the government-paid benefits. Those benefits, especially healthcare, far exceed the basic ones he wants to deprive less-privileged — but certainly deserving — people.

No, Sen. Strickland, government is not the problem. It’s self-serving people like you, who either lack the will or intelligence to find solutions.

— Carol Keavney, Letter to the Editor, Ventura County Star, 3/5/10

The Democratic Club of Camarillo will host a forum at our regular meeting March 4th featuring candidates for California’s 24th Congressional District.  Joining us will be candidates Tim Allison and Marie Panec. Each candidate will have the opportunity to speak and questions will be taken from the membership so bring your questions!

Socializing will begin at 6:15 p.m. with the program starting at 7:00 p.m.  The club meets in the Orchid Building, 816 Camarillo Springs Road, which is located at the Camarillo Springs Exit from the South 101. The meeting is free and open to the public.  Call 805/987-1846 for additional information.

The Ventura County Democratic Party chose Brian Leshon as its new central committee chairman Tuesday night, party officials announced today.

Leshon lives in Ventura and owns an Internet marketing company. He has been the Democratic Central Committee’s acting chairman for the past month, since the last chairwoman, Jill Martinez, resigned her post.  Leshon has also been first vice chairman for the past six months and is chairman of the committee’s communications subcommittee.

Leshon won the vote of 22 of the 29 Central Committee members who voted at Tuesday night’s meeting, according to a statement released this morning.

The Central Committee governs the local Democratic Party and has 44 members. Twenty-four are voted onto the committee in Democratic primary elections, and the rest serve because they have won Democratic nominations for office or are presidents of local Democratic clubs.

~ Tony Biasotti, the Ventura County Star

The Democratic Club of Camarillo will welcome CSUCI Associate Professor Sean Kelly as the featured speaker at our February 4th meeting. Sean will take a look at the current state of the Democratic Party and entertain questions from the membership. Also speaking will be Jay Kapitz from the Conejo Democratic Club who is Co-chair of the local Fair Elections campaign.  Our Phone Tree Volunteers will also be honored at the meeting.

Socializing will begin at 6:15 p.m. with the program starting at 7:00 p.m.  The club meets in the Orchid Building, 816 Camarillo Springs Road, which is located at the Camarillo Springs Exit from the South 101. The meeting is free and open to the public.  Call 805/987-1846 for additional information.

The DFA Campaign Academy mission is to focus, network, and train grassroots activists in the skills and strategies to take back our country, manage successful campaigns or run for office themselves.

Our Campaign Academy weekends are 16 hours of interactive workshops that bring hundreds of local activists, campaign staff and candidates together for 2 days of intensive campaign training. Experienced campaign professionals lead sessions in voter contact, fundraising, communications, on-line organizing and much more to empower progressive activists with the skills to win in November and beyond. Attendees also meet with dozens of local progressive candidates and learn about exciting job and volunteer opportunities in their area. And of course, everyone receives their own copy of DFA’s 180-page Campaign Training Manual.

Year after year, the DFA Campaign Academy is building a grassroots infrastructure of skilled progressive activists in all 50 states.

Event Date: Feb 20, 2010
Event Time: 9:00 AM PST (12:00 PM EST)
Venue Name: University of California Santa Barbara
Address: Gervetz Hall
City: Santa Barbara
State: CA
Zip Code: 93106
Website: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/events/33795-dfa-campaign-training-in-santa-barbara
Hosted by: DFA Campaign Academy Alumni, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni

Agenda:

Ten reasons to attend the DFA Campaign Academy training in Santa Barbara on February 20-21.

1. Learn how to plan and run a winning grassroots campaign
2. Meet and hear from local progressive candidates
3. Learn from trainers with decades of experience
4. Mingle with other local progressive activists at social events
5. Get a copy of our 180 page Grassroots Campaign Training Manual
6. Set goals and make plans to pass progressive legislation
7. Re-connect with old friends from the campaign
8. Help elect progressive candidates in 2010
9. Learn to organize your neighborhood or precinct
10. Look for a new job or volunteer opportunity

Click here to see what you will learn at a DFA campaign training.

Invite your friends on Facebook!

All we ask is a small contribution of $60 to DFA to help us cover our costs. Don’t worry if you can’t afford it, you can always find someone to sponsor you through our training scholarship fund and we offer reduced tuition rates to those in need.

Space is limited so reserve your seat today!

For more info on our trainers, curriculum, and history visit our training homepage at: www.democracyforamerica.com/training.

If you have questions you can email us at training(at)democracyforamerica.com or call our DFA Training hotline at: 802-651-3200 x191.

Click here if you have already registered and would like to pay your tuition fee.

Can’t make it to the training that weekend but still want to help? You can contribute to a scholarship fund for this training and help send a local organizer in your place.

Click here sponsor another attendee!

Please join us for our last meeting of the year. 

December 9, 6:30 PM — our usual Wednesday
 

General Meeting at the Thousand Oaks Main Library

Our December meeting is our traditional potluck holiday party and officer election. 

Please plan on coming and using your vote to make your voice heard in the

      club.   Potluck dishes should be based on the following last name initials:

       A-E  Appetizers

       F-J   Salads

       K-O  Main Courses

       P-T   Desserts

       U-Z  Drinks

       Or whatever you feel like bringing

We  look forward to seeing you!!

During last evening’s presidential address to a joint session of congress, Rep. Joe Wilson pointed and shouted, “You lie,” as the President said there was no coverage for illegal immigrants in his healthcare plan. Wilson left the House chamber immediately after the end of the speech.

After the session, appearing on Larry King Live, Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) said, “Totally disrespectful. No place for it in that setting or any other and he should apologize immediately.”  Later that night, Wilson attempted to call President Obama to apologize personally but instead ended up speaking to Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel. Wilson then issued an official statement saying, “This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility.”

On last check Rep Wilson’s website is “down for maintenance” and his Wikipedia page has been frozen. Progressives were not happy with the disrespect his words showed toward the presidential office, so they took action with literally thousands of twitter users linking to the Act Blue fundraising page for Joe Wilson’s opponent, Rob Miller.  At a little after midnight PST they had donated over $77,000 to help defeat Wilson.

During last evening’s presidential address to a joint session of congress, Rep. Joe Wilson pointed and shouted, “You lie,” as the President said there was no coverage for illegal immigrants in his healthcare plan. Wilson left the House chamber immediately after the end of the speech.

After the session, appearing on Larry King Live, Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) said, “Totally disrespectful. No place for it in that setting or any other and he should apologize immediately.”  Later that night, Wilson attempted to call President Obama to apologize personally but instead ended up speaking to Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel. Wilson then issued an official statement saying, “This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility.”

On last check Rep Wilson’s website is “down for maintenance” and his Wikipedia page has been frozen. Progressives were not happy with the disrespect his words showed toward the presidential office, so they took action with literally thousands of twitter users linking to the Act Blue fundraising page for Joe Wilson’s opponent, Rob Miller.  At a little after midnight PST they had donated over $77,000 to help defeat Wilson.